Artest on track to Floyd flap III

Injured player set to be activated

coach not so sure

TORONTO — Ron Artest and Tim Floyd have had spirited disagreements over issues other than Artest's health, so it's likely Wednesday's misunderstanding will eventually be a moot point.

The miscommunication will be forgotten quickly if Artest is activated from the injured list for Thursday's game with the Toronto Raptors, which is a strong possibility.

But as it stands, Artest left practice Wednesday under the assumption he would be playing and was barely able to contain his excitement over the prospect of guarding Vince Carter. And Floyd, who has had flaps with Artest over a headband last season and a dress code this season, left with the impression that the matter is an open-ended one.

"What [Artest] was told by me was if at the end of Wednesday's practice the trainer and coach think he's ready to play, we'll do something," general manager Jerry Krause said. "That decision hasn't been made."

Artest, who has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery Oct. 10 on his right ring finger, said he's fine physically.

But Krause has made it clear that it's up to Floyd to determine whether Artest is ready from a basketball standpoint. When asked how Artest had been faring in practice, Floyd didn't offer much.

"He's working," Floyd said.

By declaring himself off the injured list before the move is a reality, Artest appears to be putting the ball in Floyd's court. And, as witnessed earlier this season when forward Charles Oakley publicly criticized Floyd, the coach doesn't respond favorably to such challenges.

Oakley, meanwhile, continues to speak candidly about the Bulls' situation. On Tuesday in Cleveland, Oakley questioned why the Washington Wizards have more victories because he believes the Bulls have just as much talent, if not more.

He also said the Bulls need "a different concept" and that they "do stuff, but it's still nonsense."

Last Saturday Krause said he had no problem with Oakley speaking his mind as long as the captain's comments don't approximate those he made to draw a $50,000 fine last month. In other words, comments that disparage Floyd or the organization.

"I think Charles is getting to where he likes to hear himself talk," Krause said. "Every city he does that or says something. That's old news.

"Plus, while he's doing all this, he's still helping the kids (Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry). He's taking them to breakfast in the morning. He does the right things."

Oakley has said he won't "bail out" and ask to be traded. But does Krause believe Oakley is trying to talk his way off the Bulls?

"He knows he can't get traded," Krause said.

"You take his salary, it's very hard to trade."

Oakley is in the final year of a deal that pays him $7.3 million. Would Krause ever release Oakley to maintain the salary-cap flexibility his contract affords?

"That's not something I'm interested in doing," Krause said. "Charles is an asset."

Artest, a player who wears his emotions in the floor burns on his knees, wants to be an asset too. Time will tell if he gets that chance anytime soon . . . such as Thursday.

"The first day I practiced I had a lot of emotion and was out of control," Artest said. "As I've moved on, I've been more under control and blended in with my team. I'm still going to be aggressive and go after rebounds and dunk. And my finger is going to get hit. But the pain--you just fight through it."